DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 562 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Permits a local public school board in a district in which a majority of schools are charter
schools and that uses a single application and enrollment process to assign students to charter
schools based on the preferences of a student's parent or legal guardian, charter school
admission requirements and contracts, and local school board policies.
Present law provides relative to charter school requirements, limitations, and prohibitions. Requires
that charter school admission requirements be consistent with the school's role, scope, and mission.
Requires that the admission requirements include a system for admission decisions which precludes
exclusion of students based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin, intelligence level,
or identification as a student with an exceptionality as defined in present law. Provides that such
requirements may include specific requirements related to a school's mission such as auditions or
proficiency in a foreign language. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law prohibits local school boards from assigning students to attend a charter school.
Proposed law exempts from this prohibition a local public school board in a district in which 50%
or more of the public schools are charter schools and the district uses a single application and
enrollment process for public school enrollment. Allows such a board to assign students to charter
schools based on the preferences of the parents, the charter school's admission requirements and
contract, and local school board policies.
(Amends R.S. 17:3991(B)(3)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Exempt a local school board in a district in which 50% or more of the public schools are
charter schools, instead of a district with one or more charter schools, from present law
prohibition on assignment of pupils to charter schools.
2. Add that the assignment of pupils to charter schools in such a district may be based on
the charter school admission requirements and contract and the local school board
policies.